March 15 Protest Scheduled at Chevron

East Bay Business Times - March 14, 2008.

Community groups aim to shut down Chevron Corp.'s Richmond refinery for a day at a protest scheduled for March 15.

The groups Greenaction, West County Toxics Coalition, Amazon Watch, Richmond Progressive Alliance, Richmond Greens, Community Health Initiative, Communities for a Better Environment, Global Exchange, and Rainforest Action Network are organizing the protest ahead of a March 20 meeting of the Richmond Planning Commission, at which the commission will consider and could possibly approve a big upgrade Chevron is planning for the refinery.

The groups are encouraging people to assemble at the refinery by boat and by bicycle; shuttles will also take people to the refinery from the Richmond BART station and from Point Richmond. The purpose of the the protest is to shut the refinery down for one day and to support community efforts to stop Chevron from its project.

Camille Priselac, a spokeswoman for the refinery, said it will remain open for business but has taken measures designed to ensure the safety of the refinery and its employees. She declined to discuss specific security measures.